Key magazine for changeable locks



3 Sheets-Sheet l E. A. SCHACHINGER KEY MAGAZINE OR CHANGEABLE LOCKS Original Filed Dec. 24, 1947 mar/N6 .s/mwu Sept. 10, 1957 a m w@ mfiuuunnumfi 4. 5 W;

- v uvmvroa Edward A .Schach inqer g? HTTORNE) Sept. 10, 1957 E. A. SCZHACHINGER KEY MAGAZINEVFOR CHANGEABLE LOCKS Original Filed Dec. 24, 1947 s Shets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Edward A.Scha'ckinqer BY 5 a g HTTORNEY Sept. 10, 1957 E. A. SCI-ZACHINGER 2,805,792

KEY MAGAZINE FOR CHANGEABLE LOCKS Original Filed Dec. 24, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 /Z L LJZ m I 24; i

'NVENT 0R. Edward Afichoxhmqar Patented Sept. 10, 1957 HEY MAGAZINE FDR CHANGEAELE LOQKS Edward A. Schacinnger, Bronx, N. Y.

(Briglnal appiication December 24, *1 793,679, new Patent No. 2,538,425,

Serial No. 1144252 12 Ciaims. (c1. ear-es;

This invention relates to apparatus and devices adapted to be used in a watchmans tour system or the like. The invention is more particularly adapted for use in such a tour system in which stations to be visited by the watchman are provided with locks of the combination changing type requiring for their operation a plurality of keys constituting a set of keys.

In my prior Patent 2,376,389 issued May 22, 1945, Re. 22,864, reissued April 8, 1947, is disclosed a watchmans tour system of the type to which the device of the invention is adaptable. In my copending application Serial No. 793,679 filed December 24, 1947, now Patent No. 2,568,425, issued May 23, 1956, of which this present application is a division, are disclosed several adaptations of the device of the present invention to such a watchmans tour system comprising a plurality of tour stations and a transmitting station, the tour stations having combination changing locks operable by a set of keys which is supplemental to the set of keys utilized for operation of a combination changing lock of the transmitting station.

In one adaptation the keys of the supplemental set of keys are difierent from the keys for operating the transmitting station lock, these transmitting station keys being distributed in the key channels of the tour stations and released therefrom by means disclosed in my prior patent or in said copending application. All of the locks of the tour stations initially may be set to the same combination and will be changed successively by the successive supplemental keys released from a magazine associated with the system. The construction of the magazine is such that the key for the tour about to be started is released upon insertion of the key for the preceding tour, the keys being arranged in the magazine in the order of successive combinations of the tour station locks. The operation of the tour stations by the proper key to efiect release of transmitting station keys for transmission of a signal are insured. The watchman, therefore, is required to visit the tour stations in a predetermined order and to operate the transmitting station in the proper order in relation to the tour stations to make record of the completion of the tour and to secure the key for the next tour.

The application also discloses a system in which all of the locks of a plurality of tour stations to be visited by the watchman are operable by means of a set of keys or a plurality of identical sets of keys which also are capable of operating a transmitting station lock. A plurality of key magazines are used in this system in cooperation with the respective tour stations and with the transmitting station to provide a suitable number of sets of keys which are distributed in the magazines and in the tour stations in the requisite predetermined order. The construction of these magazines also is such that upon insertion of a key in a magazine the proper key may be withdrawn therefrom for operation of the associated tour station concomitantly with release from this tour station of a key in the proper relation to and for insertion in the magazine associated with the next tour station. As disclosed in said prior application the magazines themselves may constitute tour stations. In all these adaptations the construction of the magazine is such as to maintain the requisite order and serial arrangement of the keys.

The present invention has an object the provision of means for containing the supplemental set of keys or a plurality of such sets of keys for the operation of the combination changing locks of the systems disclosed in the prior patent and in my copending application.

it is another object of the invention to provide a structure for containing a set of keys or a plurality of sets of keys which will maintain these keys in a predetermined order for use by the watchman.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a key magazine which requires the watchman to operate it in a predetermined manner to make available to him a predetermined key upon insertion of a given key of the set.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a key magazine for containing a set of keys in which a key which has just been used by the watchman in the operation of a tour station or a transmitting station must be inserted in a given relation to the keys contained in the set to preserve a predetermined order of the set in order to secure release of the proper key for the operation of the next tour station or transmitting station.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a key magazine for a system utilizing combination changing locks which itself may serve as a tour station and which is operable by the watchman to secure the proper key of a set of keys for the successive operations of the locks.

It is a still further objectof the invention to provide a magazine construction for insuring against improper operation thereof and against tampering by intruders or unauthorized persons and to insure that the watchman shall operate in the desired manner the system in which the magazine is used.

The construction of the magazine insures that only one key may be inserted therein at a time and that this key shall become positioned therein inthe desired predetermined relation to other keys of the set which are contained in the magazine so as to preserve the requisite order corresponding to the order of the combination of the combination changing locks. This construction is such that upon the insertion of such a key in the magazine a single predetermined key is released therefrom, preferably the key at the opposite end of the series of keys in the magazine so that this released key shall be in the proper serial relation not only to the keys in the magazine but also to the key used in the preceding tour, or in the preceding operation of a lock station, or which has been inserted in another magazine of the tour system. The details of the construction of the magazine for this purpose and other features of the invention will be more clearly understood from the description of the drawings to follow in which:

Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically a watchmans tour sys* tem utilizing the device of the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a horizontal cross-section of a key magazine on the line 2-2 of Fig. 4 except that the keys are omitted;

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the'key magazine of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section of the key magazine on line 4-4 of Pig. 2 with a series of keys shown in side elevation therein;

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a section on line 66 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on line 77 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a section similar to that of Fig. 4 showing the positions of the keys as a key is inserted in the magazine;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section of a modification of the key magazine of the invention on the line 99 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the magazine of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a vertical section on line 11 1 1 o f 9;

3 Fig. 12 is'a horizontal section on line 12-12 of Fig. 9; Fig. 13 shows diagrammatically a tour system of the invention utilizing magazines as tour stations.

"Fig; -1 -showsa system having five tour stations 1 identified as #1, #2, #3, #4, and having also a transmitting station '3 and a key magazine 7.' The tour stations and the transmitting station and the key magazine are distributed in any desired'manner about the site. The keys '10, 11 12, 13 and '14 which are'contained in the key'channels bfthe respective tour stations l'm'ay bereferred to as white keys andare used in succession for operation of the transmitting station 3. :The succession is accomplished by releasing in each tour stationthe key containeddherein by insertion of another 'key of the white set and by operation of'the lock 21) 'asdisclosed inmy copending application Serial No. 793,679 with a keyfof'the set of yellow keys 21jto '25 inclusive.

The .magazine7 contains the yellow keys 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 2 6, key 26 being shown in'theposition as it is being'inserted in the magazine; As will be hereafter described thiswill effect; release of key 25. 'Key 26'has been used by the watchmanjin the preceding tour just completed 'for operation ofrthe' locks concomitantly with release'from each, tour station #l,"#,2, #3, ii-"4, #5 ofthe"white'key contained therein. During such operation the combination of the locks 20 of the respective stations in succession has'been changed and this locknow requires "yellow'key 2'5 for-its operation. During the,

. succeedingftour'all of the'locks'2tl,therefore, will be operated by key 2'5f'and the combination of each lock changed in suchioperation to the combination which requiresthe yellowkey '24 'for further operation of the lock, the .white keys being released in succession'and inserted in the'next'tour station so thatupon completion of the tour the proper white key is available for operation of the transmitting station 3. Upon completion of this tour yellow key" will beinse rted in the magazine for release of .the key 24 askey 26 wasinserted at the end of the preceding tour. By repeating these operations in the succeeding tours it will be'understood that yellow key 26 again becomes released from the magazine and the cycleis repeated for .theoperation of the tour stations 1. The sequence of operation of the white keys and the .yellow keys is shown in Table I of my-prior application SerialNo. 793,679,

In.Figs. -2 to 8 inclusive is ShOVVIl'thE construction of a magazingsucih as the magazine 7 diagrammatically shown in Fig. 1. This magazine in the embodiment of Figs. 219 8 inclusive comprises an outer casing 1 4i) upon; which-ishinged a door 141 which may be provided with a lock ldlizhavinga latch 1 44 engageable with an opening in the side wall of "the casing 140, which openingmay be covered by a portion 145 of the'door'141 when this door is in the closedposition so that access may not be had to the, latch. For the operation of the lock 143 the watchman may carryaspecial key.

' 7 By means hereinafter described, the door 141 of the outer casing is biased to open position. This door is provided with a slot 147 through which projects a pin 14 9- carried by a member 161 of the internal mechanism of the magazine, thispin'beingi operable in the direction from left to right in Figs. 2 and 3 through a slot 150 in an inner shell,151o f the magazine registering with slot 147 when the door-is closed. Thejlength of the pin 149 is such that the door 141 must be in the closed position in order'that the outer end of theipin .149 shallproject through the slot 147 for operation of themagazine. In order to prevent .removal of-the pin 149 by unscrewing from' the pivotally supported member 161, the pin 149'is provided with a flange '152 of larger diameter than the width of the slot 147. This aids in preyentin g'tampering with the internal devices oftheg'magazine'and insuresoperation of the magazinein the manner about to be described'only when the door'is closed.

4 As shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 8 the upper wall of the is a slot closing plate 157 of suflicient width, as shown in Fig. 4 and as shown in dot and dash outline in Fig. 7, to cover the slots 153 and 155 when the door is closed. The upper wall of the shell 151 is spaced somewhat from the upper wall of the outer casing 140 so that the long leg, Fig. 5, of the plate 157 may pass between the casing 140 and the shell 151 in the movement of the door between the open and closed positions, the plate 157 beingmoved clear of the slots 153 when the door is open, asshownin Fig. 8. Fastened in the upper wall of the outer casing 140 and projecting inwardly thereof is a stop pin 158which engages the plate 157 and limits the movement thereof in the opening movement of the door, thereby determining the open position of the door.

When the lock 143' is unlocked, and, by opening the door 141, the plate 157 has been moved from its position closing the slots 153, 155, the yellow key carried by the watchman for operation of the locks of the'tour stations 1 of Fig. 1 maybe inserted through the slots 153, 155, as shown in Fig. 8, upon completion of a tour. This key is inserted between the series of'keys (five being shown) contained in the shell 151 of the magazine and the member 161 which is pivotally supported upon a pin 163 carried in brackets 165 fastened'to the side walls 166 of an inner container 167 which is formed so that it'may be inserted in the shell 151 through the bottom. otthis shell which is left open. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the

, inner container 167 also is open at the top and this container and the shell 151 are in telescoping relation to ach'other. The bottom wall of the inner container 167 and the lower edges 154 of the shell 151' are spaced somewhat from the bottom wall of the casing 14am pro vide space for means, hereafter described, for preventing withdrawal of a'key until the-magazine is properly opera in the upper walls respectively of the shell 151 and the outer casing so that the end of a key 171 inserted therethrough will extend into a cavity 173 formed between the beveled surface in the upperportion of the pivoted member 161 and the adjacent key of the series. The key 'so inserted thus may be moved downwardly into the angle formed by the wall of this cavity and the upper portion ofthe adjacent key 1750f the series of five keys contained within the magazine. Continued pressure on the key 171 forces it down almost to the position shown in Fig. 8. Since the keys are at the same'time under compression exerted'endwise of the series of the spring biased member 161, the downward pressure appliedto the key 171 tends to be transmitted in part to the adjacent keys of the series and to urge them in a downward direction against the resistance of the spring clip lfifi'causing the latter to bend downwardly from the normal position as shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 8. The tendency of the keys, previously resting on the spring clip 18, to move downwardly will vary somewhat, being greaterin respect of key 175 than in respect of the key at the opposite end of the series, both because the immediately adjacent keys, as key 175, are closer to the point of application of downward pressure and also be-v of keys by the biased member 161'. Consequently, as

the spring clip 180 is bent downwardly because of the pressure exerted through the toe of the key 175, the portions of the spring clip more remote from its point of attachment tend to move away from the toes of the keys previously supported thereby. This is elfective to allow the lower end or toe of the key 177 at the opposite end of the series of keys to ride over the bead 179 and move toward the left in Figs. 4 and 8 to assume a position bearing flatly against the end wall or abutment 135 as shown in Fig. 8, where it is restrained from dropping to the bottom of the key magazine so long as pressure is exerted upon it by the biased member 161 acting through the rest of the keys disposed in the key progression passage. As shown the spring clip 180 is fastened by screw 181 through the wall of the inner container to the horizontal leg of an upstanding bracket 183 hereinafter described. The end wall or abutment 185 is fastened to the shell 151 and in the particular embodiment being described cooperates with the side walls 166 of the inner container 167 to close the key confining space at one end of the inner container.

The key 171 inserted in the magazine acting on the inclined surface of the cavity 173 moves the pivoted member 161 against the bias of the helical compression spring 187 having one end thereof in a countersink formed in the member 161, the other end of this spring bearing against a washer 18% carried on a pin 189 which is threaded at its left end in and shouldered against the bottom surface of the countersink in the member 161. The pin 189 extends through a slot 191 formed in the upstanding leg of the bracket 183. This pin is provided with a head 193 at the outside face of the bracket 183, the washer 183 bearing on the inside face of the bracket under the pressure of the spring 187. It thus will be apparent that the spring 187 is effective to bias the series of keys to move toward the left in Figs. 4 and 8 and that the insertion of the key 171 will compress the spring 187. This spring, upon release of the key 177 at the lower end thereof from the bead 179 of the spring clip 130 will produce quick movement of the key 177 into position above the lower opening 195 in the bottom of the inner container and the lower opening 197 in the outer casing.

When the key 177 is in the position shown in Fig. 4 with the end thereof projecting through the openings 195, 197 it may be withdrawn from the magazine. Initially, however, when the inserted key 171 takes its position in the series, there will be six yellow keys within the magazine, as shown in Fig. 8 and the friction creating pressure of the spring 137 will tend to restrain all these keys against endwise movement so that the key 177 does not immediately drop through the openings 195, 197. Only when the door 141 has been closed and the pin 149 projecting through slot 147 has been moved by hand toward the right in Figs. 2 and 3 to move the pivoted member 161 against the bias of the spring 18'] away from the keys is the pressure upon the series of keys reduced sufiiciently to permit the key 177 to drop through the openings 195, 197. It is necessary, therefore, that the watchman close the door of the magazine and operate the pin 149 in order to be able to withdraw from the series of keys the proper yellow key for operation of the looks it in the next tour, that is, for operating these locks in the combination to which they have been operated in the tour just completed.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the keys within the container 167 move forward toward the releasing position between the sloping side walls 199 provided by a piece bent in V form and fastened by the screw 181 to the bottom wall of the inner container 157. These walls 199 may conform, as shown, generally to the shape of the head of the key and the width of the toe thereof.

Withdrawal, however, of the next yellow key cannot take place in the embodiment of Figs. 2 to 8 inclusive until the door is closed, means being provided for closing the openings 195, 197 when the door is open. Cam plate 201 having an outline as shown in Fig. 7 is pivotally supported on pin 202 and is biased by spring 203 having a torsion portion wound about stud 204, the spring 203 having one leg thereof bearing against the wall of the casing 140. As shown in Figs. 4 and 8, the cam plate 201 operates in the space between the bottom wall of the inner container 167 and the bottom wall of the casing 140. As shown in Fig. 7, when the door 141 is closed the horizontally extending leg of a bracket 206 carried by this door engages edge 207 of the cam plate 201 and holds the cam plate 201 in the full line position uncovering opening 197. When the door is in open position, pressure by the bracket 206 is relieved and the spring 203 is effective to move the cam plate 201 to the dot and dash position shown in Fig. 7 to cover the opening 197 to prevent withdrawal of the key 177 until the door again is closed. The spring 203 also acts to bias the door to open position. For convenient operation, therefore, the watchman will close the door and lock it in its closed position after inserting key 171 in order that his hands may be free to operate the pin 149 to release the key 177 desired for operation of the tour station locks in the next tour. He cannot, moreover, obtain key 177 until the door is closed.

Such operation of the pin 149 to release the key 177, however, does not cause this key directly to drop from the magazine through the openings 195, 197. To prevent such occurrence within the inner container 167 and fastened to the side walls thereof are springs 209 having the lower portions thereof extending diagonally toward the center line of the magazine, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. When the key 177 is released upon relieving the pres sure of the spring 187 by operating the pin 149 this key will drop so that the head thereof, which may be formed as shown in Fig. 5 of trapezoidal form, is engaged by the springs 209 and retained from falling through the openings 195, 197 until the watchman is ready to pull it through these openings, the springs 209 yielding laterally for this movement. The form and position of springs 2%9 may be such as suits the form of the yellow key utilized. 7

It wil be understood as shown in Fig. 8 that, when the key 171 is inserted in the slots 153, 155, it must be pushed down so that the upper edge of the head thereof substantially is below the space between the upper wall of the shell 151 and the upper wall of the casing in order that the plate 157 may pass over the openings 153 and 155 to the position fully covering these openings when the door is in closed position. To insure such full insertion, the upper edge of each key may be slightly beveled and the edge of the plate 157 may be correspondin ly beveled, as shown in Figs. 4 and 8, so that, if the upper edge of the key is not below the upper surface of the shell 151, the bevel edge of the plate 157 will engage the bevel edge of the key 171 and force this key downwardly sumciently to permit the plate 157 to pass, pro vided the key has been pushed down sufficiently for such engagement. Moreover, as the form and arrangement of the cam plate 201 and the bracket 206 cooperating therewith are such that the key 177 cannot be withdrawn through the opening 197 until the door is fully closed with the bracket 266 pressing upon the cam against the bias of spring 203, as shown in Fig. 7, it will be understood that the key 177 cannot be withdrawn from the magazine until' the key 171 has been inserted in the magazine to such an extent that it cannot thereafter be withdrawn therefrom.

correspondingly, as the plate 157 covers the openings 153, 155 until a substantial movement has been given to the door toward its open position, such movement is effective to permit the cam plate 261 to cover the opening 197 and so prevent undesired withdrawal of a key from the series of keys within the magazine before the key 171 is inserted through the slots 153, 155.

In utilizing a magazine of the construction shown in Figs. 2 to 8 inclusive in a system such as that described inclusive.

in connectioniwith-.Fig.'1, it is preferable that the form of the keysofthe set of .yellow;keys whichare-adaptedand trapezoidal for the. yellow key'sas in.Fig, 5. with.

the.widest.-or base dimension of the trapezoid different from the width-fthe. head of the -white. key, these Widths being suitably chosen withrespectto thewidth of thekey channel between the'lateral walls thereof, it is possible toprevent insertion .ofa White key in the magazine insucharnanner as to effect operation of the magazine and,.as well, tozpreventiinsertion of the yellow keys in the key channel of the tour station in such a way as .to'effect operation of the tourstation for release of a.white.keytherefrom. v

In Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive is showna modification of the key magazine of the invention; This magazine is formedlwith .a casing 211. Pivotally supported on a pin 213 carried at its ends in the front and back Walls of thecasirig 211 is a'member 215 biased by helical spring 217 toward the left in Figs..9,- 10 and 12. The spring 217 extends about a pin 218 rigidlyfastenedin the upper endof thepivoted member 215. The right hand end of thepin218 extends into a recess 219in a guide member 221 :fastened in the end wall of the casing 211,'a washer 222.beingprovided between the spring 217 and the left handend of the. member 221. The upper portion of the pivoted member 215 is rounded at 223 to provide 'space for insertion of a key between the set of five keys containediwithin the-magazineand the member 215. Such insertion is accomplished through a slot 225 in the upper wall:of;the casing 211.

Such insertion, however, can only take place when a cover 227 having an end extension 223 for lifting by hand is moved counterclockwise in Pig. 9 pivotally on a bolt 229 supported" in the front and back walls of the casing 211. Liftingof thecover 227 uncovers the slot 225'and also uncovers a pair of openings 231 in the upper wall of the -casing211 adjacent the opposite .end

of the series of keys in-the magazine from the member.

215; Thecover 227 carries a pair of fingers 233 in Figs..9 and 11 respectively registering with the openings 231-. When the cover is in the closed position, as shown in Fig' 9, these fingers 233 extend downwardly within the casingadjacent the wall 235 thereof. Adjacent this wall 235i!) the bottom wall 236 of the. casting an opening 237 is provided for withdrawal from .themagazine, for example,-of--the yellow. key for-:the next tour upon insertion throughthe; slot 225 of the yellow key which hasv been used.in.the tour..just.completed, asabove described; The-actionof the setof. keys within the magazineuupon. insertion of suchkey through the slot 225 is similar to that described in connection with Figs. 2 to 8 In the'embodiment shown in Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive, however; adjacent. the opening 237 the bottom walLZSfi of-the casing is forrned witha slightly upturned lip 1239; The upper end, that is, the head of the key Zt),

being engaged by the wall'235 when the cover.237 is lifted and a nkey isi insertedthrough the slot 225, pressure of the inserted key upongthe surface 223. and against the adjacentkey 2=ilacting against thebias of the spring 217 tendsto force. the series of keys within the magazine toward-the leftin Fig.9.. By suitably forming the lip 239, thispressure .may. produce lifting of the toe of the key 24iiover the lip239 to move the. key 240 into position above'theopening .237. The. inserted key may be pushed downwardly-until theheadiswithin :the slot 225 and the pressure of the spring 217 may be efieetive to hold the key 240 flat against the wall 235,.there now beingiisixi.

keyswithin the magazine- .As shown in Figs. 9, 10 and.12.fastenedupon.-the

. cover 227 are pins 243 in suchpositionas to. pass' into.

the slot 225 when the cover is movedto the closedposi tion shown in Fig. 9. These pins will bear upon the head of the inserted. key tomove it downwardly fully to the position shown. in. Fig. 9 adjacent the seriesof keys ale a m CL 11 5 c8191 4.571,

upper edge of the key 24tlwhich', as has beenexplained, is in contact with thewall 233. The key 240, now in position over slot 237 is pushed by the fingers 233 so that the end-of thekey protrudes through the; opening 237. The key then may be withdrawn by the watchman.

in order to prevent accidental withdrawal or falling of the key through the opening 237, preferably a pair of. springs 245 are supported on the bottom wall 236 of-the. casing for engaging thehead of the key, the shank of the key passing between these springs and through. the opening 237. The form and resistance of thesprings; 245 are such that, while holding the key 246 against; accidentially falling from-the magazine, the watchman may readily withdrawthe key by pulling on the shank thereof.

The means of support of the magazines may be-variedto suit different. conditions and to prevent theft and tampering with thesedevices. In-the embodiments which have been described, flanges merely-have been shownthrough which fastening means may be passed for attachment to the walls of the buiding or other suitable' supports. These means of support are not in themselves part of the invention but the constructions ofthe casings and 211 ofthe magazines are such that access to the interior ismadeimpossible or so difiic-ult as to prevent improper operation ortampering with the devices which.

would enable a watchman or an unauthorized person toeffect without detection a fake operation of the system while apparently securing the proper operation thereof. Such constructions to prevent tampering are importantto insure that the watchman must make his tour in the manner predetermined by the sets of keys which are utilized for operation of combination changing locks, one set for the operation of the transmitting station lock and a supplement set of difierent form being utilized for the operation of the tour station locks, the proper sequence with respect to these supplemental tour station" keys being secured with the aid of the magazine.

In Fig. 13 is diagrammatically shown a modified system which utilizes a series of magazines in cooperation with tour stations. As disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 793,679 onlyrone set of keys is required for operation of the system, that is, a set of keys associated with only one series of combinations of a combination changing lock which operate the tour station locks 257 and the transmitting station station lock 259. The term one set of keys is intended to include a plurality of.

like sets of such keys and in this system it is possible to operate the stations to change the combinations of the locks without utilizing two sets of keys such as the white keys and the yellow keys as described in connection with Fig. 1.

In the system of Fig. 13 a key 1 withdrawn from the magazine #271 is utilizedtooperatethe lockof station #261 and then is. inserted in the .key channel of the tour station #261, release'being effected of key 6 from this. channel for operation of the lockinithe. succeeding com-- bination. Key 6, however, is not inserted in the key channel of the next station #2621 Instead, it is inserted.

in. the. magazine #272 associated with thetourstation: #262. Thisis effective to securewithdrawal fronrthe...

magazine #272of the key 20f this set of keys. The key 2 thuswithdrawn from the magazine is utilized to operatethe tour station #262 and is then inserted in the key channel of station #262 concomitantly withpirelease of key 1 from this channel The sequence of withdrawal escapee of keys from the magazines and insertion and release of these keys from the tour stations is set out in Table H of my prior application Serial No. 793,679.

It will be understood from the above brief description of the system as shown in Fig. 13 that the construction of the magazine as above described in connection with Figs. 2 to 12 inclusive is suitable for the arrangement of keys as disclosed in Fig. 13 and in Table II of my prior application. It is merely necessary to enlarge the capacity of the magazine to include the ten keys required to be contained therein for the purposes of Fig. 13 instead of only the 5 keys as shown in Figs. 4, 8, 9 and 12. Insertion of the key used in the preceding operation, however, in the magazines of Fig. 13 insures release of the key from the magazine at the opposite end of the group of keys contained therein, this key being inserted in the key channel of the cooperating tour station. This releases the proper key of the set contained in the key magazine so that upon insertion of such released key in the next magazine the proper key may be withdrawn from this magazine for insertion in the key channel of its associated tour station. The predetermined series relation of all the keys throughout all the duplicate sets utilized is maintained.

Various means which are described in connection with Figs. 2 to 12 inclusive which condition the key for withdrawal upon insertion of a given key and the prevention of withdrawal of the predetermined key before such insertion as well as the prevention of the insertion of the preceding key until the key magazine is properly operated by the Watchman all may be provided in the magazine diagrammatically shown in Fig. 13. It will be understood from the description above given of the construction of the magazines that these devices are highly foolproof and that the watchman must operate the system in the manner described in order that he shall always have the proper key for operation of the locks of the tour stations and the transmitting station the combinations of which are changed in each operation.

It will be understood from an inspection of Fig. 13 that the magazines 251 may be divided into sections and these sections may be located in different locations on the site or area to be surveyed in order to increase the number of stations visited by the watchman. Thus, for example, the upper portion of the magazine #271 containing the series of keys 4, 3, 2, 1, 6 in Fig. 13 may be located in a separate place from the section of the magazine which contains the series of keys 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. The construction of each of these sections will be the same as hereinabove described to provide the means for insuring that the keys are retained in the proper order and that only one key may be inserted concomitantly with withdrawal of the other predetermined key, ordinarily the key at the opposite end of the set from the inserted key. Thus, it is merely necessary that when key 6 of magazine #271 is withdrawn by the watchman from the upper section upon insertion of a key 5 therein he may carry the key 6 to the second section of the magazine. Upon insertion of this key 6 in the second section key 1 may be withdrawn from this second section and used in the operation of the associated tour station #261 as above described.

As described in my copending application Serial No. 793,679 the invention finds adaptation in a system which utilizes a plurality of magazines for receiving keys of a set of keys for operation of a transmitting station. In Table III of the application is given in tabulated form a simple example of a system utilizing 5 magazines as tour stations. In this system a set or" four keys is utiized, each magazine containing three keys. Upon insertion of a key, for example key 4, in magazine #1, key 1 may be withdrawn from the magazine #1 and inserted in magazine #2 to secure withdrawal from this magazine of key 2 for insertion in magazine #3. These steps are continued through the successive magazines until key 1 is Withdrawn from magazine #5. This key may be used i for operating a transmitting station or other signalling device and then inserted in magazine #1 at the beginning of the second tour to release key 2 from this maga-- zine. The sequence will be continued as set out in Table III until the cycle is repeated starting with the fifth tour. Each of the magazines may be of the construction described in connection with Figs. 2 to 8 inclusive or Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive.

While the key containing device of the invention has been described in the several modifications thereof adapted for use in a watchmans tour system, other modifications and adaptations are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, the magazine of the construction of either Figs. 2 to 8 inclusive or Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive may be utilized for containing the different keys of a set of keys corresponding to the combinations of a lock the combinations of which may be changed. Such magazines are useful for example, where the locks of a hotel or other public building require occasional or frequent change of the combination thereof in order to prevent opening of doors or other closures by keys retained by guests or others leaving the premises or the employ of the owners. By arranging in the magazine in the proper order, that is, the order of the change of the combinations of the lock, the several keys corresponding to the different combinations, insertion in the magazine of a key of the set of keys will secure withdrawal therefrom of the proper key for the next combination without search through the magazine or trial of the different keys to secure the desired key. In such use, however, ordinarily the lock on the door or closure would be so constructed that it may be operated by one of the keys of the set without changing the combination in each operation of the lock. The lock, however, would be constructed so that its combination may be changed by a master key when such change is desired.

The magazine utilized for containing such a set of keys itself may be provided with a combination changing lock operable in succession by the keys of the set of keys contained therein. Thus, to secure the next key for operation of the lock of the door of the hotel or other closure in the combination to which it is changed by the master key or otherwise, the key previously used for operating this door lock may be used to unlock the magazine, for example of the type shown in Figs. 2 to 8 inclusive. After opening the magazine, this key may be inserted therein as described in connection with Figs. 2 to 8 inclusive to condition the desired next key for withdrawal therefrom. The magazine may be provided with a lock having a snap latch, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the door of the magazine may be snapped closed after such insertion and the desired next key withdrawn. The combination of the magazine lock will have been changed in the operation thereof to open the magazine and thus will require this next key just withdrawn when it is desired again to open the magazine to secure therefrom the proper key for operation of the door or closure when the combination of its lock again has been changed.

In the systems of Figs. 2 and 13 wherein one or more magazines are utilized, these magazines constructed, for example, as shown in Figs. 2 to 8 inclusive may be provided with combination changing locks. It will be apparent from a consideration of Tables I, II and III of my application Serial No. 793,679 in connection with Figs. 1 and 13, that a key withdrawn from a magazine for insertion in the key channel of a tour station or for insertion in a succeeding magazine insures the withdrawal of a predetermined key from such succeeding tour station or magazine. It also is apparent that the successive combinations to which the keys so withdrawn correspond progress in regular order; It, therefore, is possible in the systems utilizing the magazines of the invention initially to set the combination of the combination changing lock of the magazines for operation of a given key, for example, key 6 withdrawn from tour station #261 to operate the locks of magazine #272, this key being inserted in'this magaz'ine' as above described. In the next tour key l' which is the next key in order will be withdrawn fromLtour 'sta-j tion #261 for insertion in magazine #272v and maybe raugements and devices thereinabove disclosed may be made by those skilled in the art while utilizing the features of the invention which have been described above and otherwise disclosed herein. All such variations .and modifications are within the scope'of the invention and are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

I claim:

'1. In a key magazine .for a seriesof keys of similar shape and each having substantially parallel opposite faces, means within said magazine providing a progression .passage for confining said series of keys in face to face engagement with each other in a predetermined order and engaging the lengthwise edges of said keys for guiding said keys for movement along said passage transversely of'said faces in said order, said magazine being provided with an aperture laterally disposed with respect to the length of 'said passage and communicating with said passage adjacent an end key of said series of keys for insertion through said aperture of another similar key in face to face engagement with said end key, a member-supported within said magazineadjacent said aperture for movement thereof to and fro in the direction along said passage, means to bias said member to move toward the opposite end of said passage and into engagement with said end key of said series adjacent said aperture, said member having a beveled surface providing with the face of said adjacent end key a cavity for receiving and for guiding said inserted key into a position in said series between said adjacent end key and said' member, whereby said series of keys upon such insertion is urged to move along said passage, abutment means engaging the outer face of the key at the opposite end of said series from said inserted key and cooperating with said biased member normally to restrain said 'keys in said face to face relation and in pressure engagement with one another, said magazine 'being provided with a discharge aperture laterally disposed with respect to said key progression passage and adjacent said abutment means through which aperture said opposite end key when released from said series may be withdrawn from the'magazine, and means positioned adjacent said progression passage for engagement successively with edge portions of the keys of said series .as they are advanced to a position adjacent but short of registration with said'discharge apertureto restrain them temporarily from advancing further along said passage, said restraining means having a form adjacentsaid edge portion of said opposite end key capable under pressure applied to said series upon inserting a key through said insertion aperture of releasing said edge portion of said opposite end key for movement of said opposite end key to said position registering with said discharge aperture, said released opposite end key in said registering position being disposed for movement thereof generally parallel to its face toward said aperture for withdrawal thereof through said aperture. j v

2. In a key magazine as defined in claim 1, said insertionaperture having a form and size similar to and slightly larger than the largest cross section of the individual keys of said series taken'at rig'ht angles to the direction of insertion of said'key'sth'rough such aperture, thereby preventing insertion of more than one key at a time through said aperture. 7 v r 3. In a-key magazine asdefined in'claim lfmeans supported by 'said magazine for move'ment thereof to and from a position ,engaging said inserted key positively to movesaid insertedlkey soeengaged to its'position in said series 'of' key-s within said magazine,- and-means supported by said magazine for movement thereof to and from a position 'to engage said released opposite end key in said position registering V with said discharge aperture and operatively connected to said inserted k ey 'eng agingmeans for movement of :SZiCl OPPOSiiQ end key engaging means to said engaging position thereof upon movement of said inserted key engaging means to key engaging position thereof for positively moving said released opposite end key from 'said'registering position to a'position to be withdrawn from said magazine through'said discharge aperture.

i 4. .In a key magazine as defined'in claim 1, closing,

means supported by said magazine for movement thereof to and from a position closing said insertion aperture of said magazine to prevent and 'topermit insertion ofja key through said aperture, and means supported by'said magazine for movement thereof from and to a position to intercept said released. opposite end key and operatively connected to said closing means for movement of said intercepting means from and to intercepting position thereof respectively upon movement of said closing means toand from closing position thereof respectively to permit and to prevent withdrawal of said released topposite end key from said passage.

7 5'. In a key magazine including a casing, means'defining a key progression'passage forconfiningja plurality of keys in series relation extending lengthwise of said casing, said casing having an opening in a wall thereof communicating with said passage adjacent one end thereof for insertion of a key into serial relation to other keys disposed in said passage, said casing-having an opening in a wall thereof communicating with said passage adjacent the discharge end. thereof, a lock controlled door supported by said casing and movable into open and closed positions with respect to an opening in said casing disposed laterally with respect to said key progression passage, a closure plate operatively connected to said door and movable into and out'of closing position across said key insertion opening concomitantlytwith movement of said door to its respective closed'and open positions. 7

6. In a key magazine including a casing, means defining a key progression passage for confining a plurality of keys in series relation extendinglengthwise of said'casing, said casing having an opening in a wall thereof communicat ing with said passage for insertion of akey into 'serial'rela- 'with respect to said key progression passage, a closure plate operatively connected to said door and movable into and out of closing position. across said key discharge opening concomitantly with movement of said door to its respective open uad closed positions. 7

7. In a key magazine as defined in claim 5 in which a means for urging said keys lengthwise of the key progression passage is supported adjacent the key insertion end of said passages so as normally to bear against a key at said end of the passage .to press said keys into engagement with each other lengthwise of said passage, arhandle carried by said urging means and extending laterally through a restricted aperture in said door when the door is in closed position, said aperture being sufficiently elongated to permit limited manipulation of .saidurging means to reduce the pressure of said urging means on said keys so as to release a key from said series at the discharge end of said key progressions passage. 7 V 8. In a key magazine including an outer. casing, an inner casing having top and bottom wallsre'spectively supported in spaced relation to and adjacent the top and bottom walls of said outer casing, means defining a key progresings communicating with said passage adjacent one end thereof for insertion of a key into serial relation to other keys already disposed in said passage, said respective bottom walls of said casings having registering discharge openings communicating with said passage at a point adjacent the opposite end thereof, a lock controlled door supported by said outer casing and movable into open and closed positions with respect to a lateral opening in said outer casing, a closure plate operatively connected to said door and movable into and out of closing position across said registering key insertion openings in the space between the adjacent top walls of said casings concomitantly with movement of said door to closed and open positions, and a closure plate for said key discharge openings operatively connected to said door and movable into closed position across said registering key discharge openings in the space between the adjacent bottom walls of said casings concomitantly with movement of said door to open position.

9. In a key magazine as defined in claim 1, closure means supported by said magazine for movement to a position closing said key insertion aperture, and means operatively connected to said closing means and movable in response to closing movement thereof to a position engaging said inserted key positively to move the last inserted key to its position in said series of keys within said magazine, said closure means acting in closed position to prevent insertion of a key through said aperture.

10. In a key magazine as defined in claim 1, means for moving said biased member in a direction opposing the action of said biasing means to remove from said keys the pressure thereon into engagement with one another, thereby freeing said released opposite end key for said movement thereof generally parallel to its face toward said discharge aperture.

11. In a key magazine as defined in claim 10, means supported by said magazine adjacent said released opposite end key in said registering position for intercepting said released opposite end key upon said movement thereof toward said discharge aperture, said intercepting means releasably supporting said intercepted key with a portion thereof projecting from said magazine through said discharge aperture for withdrawal of said projecting key at will from said magazine.

12. In a key magazine as defined in claim 1, said means engaging said edge portions of said keys of said series engaging successively with the toes of the keys of said series as they are advanced to said position adjacent but short of registration with said discharge aperture, said toe engaging means being capable under said pressure applied to said series upon inserting a key through said insertion aperture of releasing the toe of said opposite end key for movement of said opposite end key to said position registering with said discharge aperture.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 18,291 Kay Dec. 15, 1931 545,803 Klug Sept. 3, 1895 1,335,966 Horsman Apr. 6, 1920 1,620,178 Warwick et al Mar. 8, 1927 1,695,256 Miller Dec. 11, 1928 1,700,060 Kirkman a- Jan. 22, 1929 1,790,499 De Wilde Jan. 27, 1931 1,816,455 Wingate July 28, 1931 1,872,031 Prick et al Aug. 16, 1932 2,222,245 Steen Nov. 19, 1940 2,340,894 Morrell Feb. 8, 1944 2,525,261 Henderson Oct. 10, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 749,882 France May 15, 1933 

